Central African Republic Signs Peace Accord to End Violence

United Nations peacekeeping force vehicles drive by houses destroyed by violence in September, in the abandoned village of Yade, Central African Republic April 27, 2017. Picture taken April 27, 2017 REUTERS/Baz Ratner

United Nations peacekeeping force vehicles drive by houses destroyed by violence in September, in the abandoned village of Yade, Central African Republic April 27, 2017. Picture taken April 27, 2017 REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Armed rebel groups have agreed to an “immediate” nationwide ceasefire in exchange for political representation. Sectarian violence has plagued the African country since Muslim militias overthrew the government in 2013.

On Monday, The Central African government and several armed rebel groups signed a Vatican-backed peace accord in Rome aimed at ending years of violence in the African country.

“We commit to the immediate implementation by political-military groups of a country-wide ceasefire, to be monitored by the international community, as a fundamental step on the way to definitive peace,” read the peace deal.

Under the peace deal, the signatories committed to “restoring the (authority of the) state across the national territory” in exchange for representation in the country’s political processes.

“The government undertakes to ensure military groups are represented at all levels,” the agreement read. It also recognized the armed groups “as part of the reconstruction efforts” aimed at stabilizing the country.

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, head of the UN mission in the Central African Republic MINUSCA, said he welcomes this “important step forward for peace.”